Lindberg provides good size and strength down the middle and is an effective two-way center. Like many Swedish forwards he is extremely reliable in his own zone and is even more reliable in the face-off circle, winning 60 percent of his draws last year.

New York, May 8, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Oscar Lindberg from Phoenix in exchange for Ethan Werek.

Lindberg, 19, skated in 41 games with Skelleftea in the Swedish Elite League this season, registering five goals and nine assists for 14 points, along with 31 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 18 playoff contests with Skelleftea, tallying three goals and four assists for seven points, ranking sixth on the team in scoring and tying for fifth in goals. The native of Skelleftea, Sweden appeared in six games at the World Junior Championship, collecting two goals and two assists, tying for fifth on the team in scoring. He tallied the game deciding goal, registered five shots and a plus-two rating in a 6-5 shootout victory over Canada on December 31.

The 6-1, 190-pounder has skated in 77 career matches with Skelleftea, registering six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, along with 66 penalty minutes. Lindberg has also appeared in 78 contests with Skelleftea’s junior team, tallying 36 goals and 46 assists for 82 points along with 108 penalty minutes. He recorded the league’s best faceoff percentage in 2008-09 (63.4), 2009-10 (60.4) and 2010-11 (69.6).

Lindberg was drafted by Phoenix as their second round choice, 52nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Werek, 19, skated in 47 games with the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), registering 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points along with 51 penalty minutes. He was originally drafted by the Rangers as their second choice, 47th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.